The February election is a primary election.  

In Tennessee, we have an “open” or “pick-a-party” primary election. A registered voter may vote in either party’s primary. The voter can select which party’s primary they wish to vote in on Election Day. Tennessee voters do not pre-register with a party before the primary.

            While you can choose which party primary you wish to vote in February, you cannot “crossover,” or vote in both. Some people may want to select a person of one party for President and a person of the other party for a local office. That is not allowed in Tennessee. You can only vote in one primary: Democratic or Republican.

            When you vote in February, the workers will ask you in which primary do you wish to vote: Democratic or Republican. While it may seem frustrating, we will need to know which primary you wish to vote in.

Any independent candidates will skip the February primary and go straight to the August ballot. In the general election in August you can vote for any candidate.

(information supplied by Knox County Election Commission)